US Army Sergeant Accused of Sex Crimes

A U.S. Army sergeant has been accused of sexual assault crimes, the latest incident in an ongoing problem plaguing the U.S. military.

The U.S. Defense Department says the unidentified sergeant is a coordinator of the sexual assault prevention program at Fort Hood, Texas. He is being investigated in connection with abusive sexual contact, assault and maltreatment of subordinates.

The allegations were revealed just a week after Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Krusinski, the head of the Air Force's sexual assault prevention program, was arrested and charged with sexual battery for allegedly groping a woman in a parking lot.

A report released last week by the Pentagon revealed that as many as 26,000 military personnel may have been sexually assaulted last year.

Several Air Force instructors at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas are under investigation for sexual misconduct with trainees.

A Pentagon spokesman said Tuesday that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is angry and disappointed in "the breakdown in discipline and standards" over the allegations. Hagel has ordered all the services to retrain and recertify all military recruiters and personnel responsible for sexual assault prevention and response.